As the world makes more sustainable choices, it has resorted to lithium which has been christened, ‘white oil’. This has caused the inevitable demand for lithium-ore, which has had an upward impact on the price of lithium, globally. For this reason, the presence of lithium in Zimbabwe portends great benefits for the Zimbabwean economy and investors into the Zimbabwean economy. According to the African Mining Markets report, Zimbabwe has the largest lithium deposits in the continent and is the fourth in the world. With such commendable statistics, Zimbabwe poses itself as a remarkable destination for inward investment in lithium mining. This however places a duty on any entity looking to invest in Zimbabwe to be wary of laws and regulations governing the extraction of this mineral resource, especially of how one can acquire mining title in Zimbabwe.

Additionally, one must also be aware of an amendment to the nation’s Indigenisation law, which now allows the minister responsible for Industry and Commerce to enact a statutory instrument at any time reserving the majority stake in any mineral for indigenous Zimbabweans. This amendment, introduced in December 2020, has been the subject of massive discourse with fears that it does not guarantee investor security, particularly given that at any time by the decision of one minister and her colleagues, the maximum stake a foreign investor can hold in mineral resources can become limited to 49%. In real terms however, the minister responsible has not exercised such powers and as such foreigners are still allowed to own up to hundred percent in all minerals except diamond and platinum.

If the law stays as permissive as it is, lithium mining remains poised to be one of the most if not the most lucrative mining undertakings for Zimbabwe. It will drive the cars of the future, power homes and hopefully lead to generational wealth.